Originally Published In The Deseret News -- Wednesday, November 15, 1995
Composting is an easy, highly effective way to recycle garden, kitchen and other wastes into rich, soil-improving materials. The idea of composting is not new. Mother Nature has been doing it forever. Unfortunately, it's easy to become confused by the abundance of equipment, amendments and advice about composting.
The strict definition of composting is combining various kinds of waste materials with the right amount of moisture and oxygen to achieve rapid decomposition. A well-managed compost pile will heat sufficiently to pasteurize the soil and kill weed seeds. This means the pile must reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Although some compost purists prefer not to let the pile get that hot, many weed seeds will survive unless pasteurized at those temperatures.
The first source of confusion often comes when trying to understand what equipment is needed. A compost pile is not just a stack of rotting garbage. It should contain at least five bushels of material to be effective. A compost pile is an effective way to construct a compost operation. The other essential piece of equipment is a fork to turn the material. Beyond that, all other equipment is used to make the process easier or faster.
Compost bins can be constructed from many materials. A cylinder of fencing makes an adequate compost facility. Other easily constructed devices include three-sided cinder-block structures or three-sided bins constructed with old pallets. Fancier versions of these bins are usually no more effective, although they may be more attractive and slightly easier to use.
There are also numerous commercial devices available to assist you. Commercial compost bins are readily available from mail order sources or local nurseries. Many cities also sell bins to encourage people to compost their materials. When looking at these, make sure they are large enough to hold several bushels of material and that they are durable so they can withstand continuous use. Compost tumblers make it easy to turn the pile and turn out compost rapidly. Unfortunately, they are usually quite expensive for the amount of material handled.
Those who choose not to invest in lots of equipment still have other options. Sheet composting is one of my favorite methods to dispose of garden wastes. Leaves, grass clippings, manure, cornstalks, etc., are spread in a 4- to 6-inch layer on the soil surface. Add one pound of ammonium sulfate per inch of compressed material per hundred square feet to provide nitrogen as a protein source for the decomposing bacteria. Till the organic material into the garden in the fall and it will be largely decomposed by the next spring.
The trench method of composting consists of digging a trench at one edge of the garden. Add food and garden wastes to the trench and cover with soil removed from a trench adjoining the first. Repeat until the entire garden has been dug and composted this way. This also tills the soil deeply.
Right now is an excellent time to produce compost. An almost unlimited supply of leaves is available free for the hauling. Leaves are almost always free of weeds and make excellent soil amendments. The process goes faster if the leaves are shredded. If you don't have a shredder, running over them with a lawn mower will accomplish the same process. Unshredded leaves take slightly longer but are still worth the effort.
To start a compost pile, put a layer of twigs and woody materials four to six inches deep in the chosen area. Add six to 12 inches of leaves, then add a two-inch layer of soil. After adding each layer of leaves, spread one cup of ammonium sulfate over them to encourage decomposition. Continue adding layers of leaves and soil until the pile is 4 to 5 feet high. Cover the top of the pile with soil and make a depression in the top so that water collects and keeps the pile moist. The pile should begin to heat in several days. Check the temperature with a small thermometer that can be inserted into the pile. Turn the pile when temperatures reach 150 degrees. Continue turning as often as necessary to facilitate the decomposition.
Other easily composted materials include small twigs, food waste, grass clippings, weeds that have not gone to seed and even paper. Most kinds of paper are acceptable for composting, although slick magazines should be avoided. (Avoid composting the weekly "In your garden" articles because then you won't know how to solve garden problems in the future!)
If your compost pile does not seem to be working well, some adjustment may be needed in your technique. Follow these trouble-shooting ideas:
Strong odor: Insufficient oxygen. Turn pile for increased air circulation. Materials may be too wet to allow for good oxygen penetration. Add dry materials.
Pile damp but won't heat: Insufficient nitrogen. Add fertilizer or grass clippings. This decreases the C:N ratio and increases decomposition. OR: Materials too wet. Allow pile to dry or add dry materials.
Dry and not composting: Insufficient water. Form pile so center is the lowest point. This prevents runoff.
Ammonia smell: Too much nitrogen. Add sawdust or other high carbon materials and turn pile.
Compost is a faithful gardener's reward for taking care of the environment. Recycling the natural materials into the soil, makes it more fertile and easier to work. This, in turn, results in better, healthier, more productive plants.
© 1998 Deseret News Publishing Co.